2017 NFL mock draft: Full first-round projections

The 2017 NFL draft is hours away, so the BillsWire staff put their collective minds together to predict how the first round could potentially shake out.

No. 1, Cleveland Browns- EDGE Myles Garrett, Texas A&m

Garrett is the best player in this draft and fills a position of need for Browns- on a roster in which most positions are positions of need. While a quarterback at No. 1 is intriguing, Garrett is not only the safest pick – he would also be the smartest.

No. 2, San Francisco 49ers- S Jamal Adams, LSU

Th e 49ers have a plethora of needs and while quarterback was in serious consideration here, new GM John Lynch adds a physical and athletic safety to begin San Francisco’s rebuild.

Related

No. 3, Chicago Bears- DL Solomon Thomas, Stanford

With Garrett and Adams gone, Thomas is likely the best player left on the board. Quarterback isn’t in play after the signing of Mike Glennon, so the Bears will likely strengthen their defensive line with the pick.

No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson

Blake Bortles hasn’t panned out in the way Jacksonville hoped he would and after spending a boatload of cash and adding quality talent in the draft, Watson could be the piece to push the Jags over the edge.

No. 5, Tennessee Titans (via Rams)- CB Marshon Lattimore, Ohio State

Related

The Titans are just a few pieces away from being a dangerous team in the AFC. By picking up Lattimore to anchor their secondary, they get a bit closer to being an actual playoff contender.

No. 6, New York Jets- TE O.J. Howard, Alabama

The Jets lost Brandon Marshall in free agency and have a serious lack of talent among their pass-catchers. O.J. Howard is a complete tight end that dominates as a blocker and receiver.

Like this article?

Sign up for the Bills Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning

Success

Thanks for signing up.
You'll be waking up a little more awesome tomorrow.

Whoa!

Something went wrong.

No. 7, Los Angeles Chargers- S Malik Hooker, Ohio State

With their first pick as the Los Angles Chargers, the team will likely be looking to add an elite talent at safety after losing Eric Weddle a few years ago. Should Hooker pan out, he’ll be just that in a couple of years.

No. 8, Carolina Panthers- RB Christian McCaffery, Stanford

Many view Leonard Fournette as the top running back in this year’s draft, but Christian McCaffery is a dynamic playmaker that would allow the Panthers’ offense to threaten defenses by using his skills in space and with Cam Newton on read-option plays.

No. 9, Cincinnati Bengals- LB Reuben Foster, Alabama

Related

The Bengals need a linebacker, and Foster is likely the most talented player at that position in this year’s draft. Yes, Temple’s Haason Reddick may be the safer pick due to questions surrounding Foster’s character, the Alabama linebacker’s upside may be too tempting to pass up.

Related

No. 13, Arizona Cardinals- QB Patrick Mahomes, Texas Tech

Cardinals’ quarterback Carson Palmer may be retiring soon. Combine this with the fact that most experts think that Patrick Mahomes has the most upside in this draft but just needs development, and you have a perfect match.

No. 14, Philadelphia Eagles (from MIN)- EDGE Derek Barnett,

Tennessee After losing Trent Cole and Connor Barwin, the Eagles opt to select one of the most productive edge rushers in the draft instead of taking a cornerback.

No. 15, Indianapolis Colts- RB Leonard Fournette, LSU

Frank Gore isn’t getting any younger and Robert Turbin is too old to be looked at as a future star. Leaving Philadelphia with Fournette to pair with Andrew Luck makes the Colts a much more intimidating opponent than they are now.

No. 16 Baltimore Ravens- DL Jon Allen, Alabama

Jon Allen’s lack of a true position caused him to drop right into the hands of the Ravens who could use his versatility and playmaking ability alongside Brandon Williams.

No. 17, Washington Redskins- EDGE Takkarist McKinley, UCLA

With Barnett and Allen gone, the Redskins will have to look for the next best player at defensive end to improve their d-line. That player is UCLA’s Takkarist McKinley, so the pairing just makes sense.

No. 18, Tennessee Titans- WR Mike Williams, Clemson

The Titans add a big, physical receiver for Marcus Mariota. Williams has the skills to win in contested catch situations and should be a reliable target for the young passer for years to come.

Related

No. 19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- S Obi Melifonwu, UConn

The Bucs need a safety. With Adams and Hooker gone, Melifonwu may be the best player at the position still available. Wit the size similar to that of Kam Chancellor, he’s certainly an interesting prospect at No. 19.

No. 20, Denver Broncos- OT Cam Robinson, Alabama

Arguably the best in a weak group of offensive linemen, Cam Robinson is a big, physical mauler that has started at left tackle for the last three seaons. Offensive line has been a major issue for Denver as of late and Robinson should help shore up a porous offensive line.

No. 21, Detroit Lions- WR Corey Davis, Western Michigan

The Lions could perhaps catch a falling Corey Davis and keep him in the state. Davis would come in and instantly be a key weapon in the Lions’ offense and serve as a reliable target for Matthew Stafford.

No. 22, Miami Dolphins- TE David Njoku, Miami (FL)

David Njoku is one of the most explosive offensive weapons in the draft and following the retirement of Jordan Cameron, Njoku can stay in his hometown. He’s young with a ton of upside and has the potential to be a premier playmaker in this league.

Related

No. 23, New York Giants- OL Garett Bolles, Utah

With Njoku off of the board, the Giants will have to look to fill another hole on their roster – the offensive line. Bolles could potentially be a day one starter in East Rutherford.

No.24, Oakland Raiders- CB Tre’Davious White, LSU

Oakland has been searching for a talented cornerback for years and LSU’s Tre’Davious White is a scrappy, physical defender that can compete with the best of them.

No. 25, Houston Texans- QB DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame

One of the biggest surprises in the first round could be when the Texans select DeShone Kizer. With Watson, Trubisky, and Mahomes gone, Houston almost has to select Kizer to fill their biggest need – quarterback. He wouldn’t start right away, but he could be solid down the road.

No. 26, Seattle Seahawks- OT Ryan Ramczyck, Wisconsin

Seattle’s offensive line has been atrocious in recent years and if they hope to protect Russell Wilson and continue to run the ball effectively, they need an upgrade on the unit and that is just what Ramczyk brings.

No. 27, Kansas City Chiefs- LB Jarrad Davis, Florida

The Chiefs lack an elite running back. While there are no promises Cook will be that, he could certainly make an impact right away.

No. 28, Dallas Cowboys- CB Kevin King, Washington

After losing Morris Claiborne and most of their secondary in free agency, Dallas will look to shore up their defense with the long, physical cornerback out of Washington.

No. 29, Green Bay Packers- EDGE/OLB T.J. Watt, Wisconsin

Watt is the type of raw player with tremendous upside that’s very intriguing to a number of teams. He could potentially end up being one of the best pass rushers for whatever team drafts him.

No. 30, Pittsburgh Steelers- EDGE Derek Rivers, Youngstown St.

Jarvis Jones was an epic bust and James Harrison isn’t getting any younger.Derek Rivers along with fellow pass rusher Bud Dupree will hopefully be able to generate the pressure needed to dethrone Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Related

No. 31, Atlanta Falcons – EDGE Taco Charlton, Michigan

The 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive end had a productive career as a Wolverine and would form a quality pass rushing duo opposite Vic Beasley.

No. 32, New Orleans Saints- RB Joe Mixon, Oklahoma

Kicked out of school after an incident in which Joe Mixon punched a woman in the face, he recently settled out of court with the victim. Mixon is arguably the most talented running back in the draft and despite the character concerns, coach Sean Payton may gloss over that with the hopes of making one last run at a Super Bowl with Drew Brees.